So, I put the engine in - again. Then I had to line it up, and re-align it, and adjust it. I'm really worried about getting it in straight. I'm desperate to get the driveline, that is, the line of the crankshaft/transmission, to be straight relative to the chassis. This is not easy. That stupid auto trans is huge. And the trans tunnel is not. Plus, the shifter bracket is pretty big and then I still have to figure out a way to get the exhaust thru there. I fear the dreaded vibration and noise of ill-aligned drive angles.
The height was (is still) another tricky issue. Too high, hood clearance issues. Too low, oil pan versus road issues. There are also front/rear position decisions - If I get it really close to the firewall, then exhaust/steering shaft issues go away, and it's better for weight distribution. But, the farther back it goes, the more that damn, fatt-ass transmission gets wedged into the tiny trans tunnel. Also, My heater core inlet/outlet tubes come out of the firewall right into the passenger side head. I'd like to have a functioning heater (even though this is 71 240, I have a later, 76 hvac system - the original system's heater tubes would not be in the way).
I think I've got it all sorted out. Here's the completed driver's side motor mount:
It looks kinda kooky. It'll get 2 holes drilled that will correspond to 2 holes in the crossmember brace for bolting. There's a 2nd part of this, a horizontal bar that attaches to the motormount thru-bolt and bolts to the frame. I'll be welding a short section of angle iron to the frame which has 2 nuts welded to its inside. This cross piece will bolt to that. I have to pull the motor again in order to drill 2 big-ass holes in the frame to make room for those nuts. I looked at those cool, air powered angle drills yesterday. If I had one of those, I might be able to drill the holes without pulling the motor. Oh well - I can do a better job with more room anyway. Plus, I'll need the motor out to finish routing fuel and brake lines.